Cory M. Morton

The importance of income in the link between tobacco outlet density and demographics at the tract level of analysis in New Jersey.

This study analyzed associations between tobacco outlet density and demographic correlates (median household income and minority population percentages) within two New Jersey counties. The study was conducted using variables developed from state licenses for tobacco outlets and data from residential census tracts. Results showed that tracts with lower median household income and higher percentages of minority residents had greater densities of tobacco-selling retail outlets. Results also demonstrated that median household income was the strongest predictor of tobacco outlet density across both counties. Implications of the study and directions for future research, specifically the interaction between income and race/ethnicity, are discussed.

Tobacco outlet density and demographics at the tract level of analysis in New Jersey: A statewide analysis

Aim: Geographic relationships between tobacco outlet density and demographics were examined at the tract level in New Jersey, a Northeastern US state. Method: Data for 1938 residential census tracts were analyzed. The 2000 TIGER/Line files were used to geocode addresses of licensed tobacco-selling retail outlets. Median income, percent African-American residents, and percent Hispanic residents were based on year 2000 census data. Address matching with ArcGIS® resulted in successful geocoding of 13,984 (93.1%) outlets. Findings: Results showed that outlet density was significantly related with demographics. Tracts with greater density of tobacco outlets tended to have lower median household income and higher percentages of African-American or Hispanic residents. Cluster analysis of tracts resulted in a three-cluster solution, identifying high, medium and low areas of disparity. The high disparity area was characterized by tracts with the highest tobacco outlet density, the highest percentages of African-American and Hispanic residents, the lowest percentage of white residents, and the lowest median income. Further analysis showed that while there were significant associations between tobacco outlet density and all three demographic variables across the state, such associations varied in each of the three clusters. Conclusions: Results may be used to inform strategic planning and policy decisions on a statewide basis.

Do metropolitan HIV epidemic histories and programs for people who inject drugs and men who have sex with men predict AIDS incidence and mortality among heterosexuals

PURPOSE We focus on a little-researched issue-how human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemics and programs in key populations in metropolitan areas affect epidemics in other key populations. We consider (1) How are earlier epidemics among people who inject drugs (PWID) and men who have sex with men (MSM) related to later AIDS incidence and mortality among heterosexuals?; (2) Were prevention programs targeting PWID or MSM associated with lower AIDS incidence and mortality among heterosexuals?; and (3) Was the size of the potential bridge population of noninjecting drug users (NIDUs) in a metropolitan area associated with later AIDS incidence and mortality among heterosexuals? METHODS Using data for 96 large U.S. metropolitan areas, Poisson regression assessed associations of population prevalences of HIV-infected PWID and MSM (1992); NIDU population prevalence (1992-1994); drug use treatment coverage for PWID (1993); HIV counseling and testing coverage for MSM and for PWID (1992); and syringe exchange presence (2000) with CDC data on AIDS incidence and mortality among heterosexuals in 2006-2008, with appropriate socioeconomic controls. RESULTS Population density of HIV+ PWID and of NIDUs were positively related, and prevention programs for PWID negatively related to later AIDS incidence among heterosexuals and later mortality among heterosexuals living with AIDS. HIV+ MSM population density and prevention programs for MSM were not associated with these outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Efforts to reduce HIV transmission among PWID and NIDUs may reduce AIDS and AIDS-related mortality among heterosexuals. More research is needed at metropolitan area, network, and individual levels into HIV bridging across key populations and how interventions in one key population affect HIV epidemics in other key populations.

Neighborhood alcohol outlet density and rates of child abuse and neglect: moderating effects of access to substance abuse services

This study investigates the relationship between concentrations of on- and off-premises alcohol outlets and rates of child abuse and neglect. Additionally, the study seeks to locate protective features of a neighborhoods built environment by investigating the potentially moderating role that access to substance abuse treatment and prevention services plays in the relationship between alcohol outlet density and child maltreatment. Using a cross-sectional design, this ecological study utilized data from 163 census tracts in Bergen County, New Jersey, on reports of child abuse and neglect, alcohol outlets, substance abuse treatment and prevention facilities, and the United States Census to investigate the linkages between socioeconomic structure, alcohol availability, and access to substance abuse service facilities on rates of child abuse and neglect. Findings indicate areas with a greater concentration of on-premises alcohol outlets (i.e., bars) had higher rates of child neglect, and those with easier access to substance abuse services had lower rates of neglect, controlling for neighborhood demographic and socioeconomic structure. Additionally, the relationship between on-premises alcohol outlet density and rates of child neglect was moderated by the presence of substance abuse service facilities. A greater concentration of off-premises outlets (i.e., liquor stores) was associated with lower rates of physical abuse. Findings suggest that the built environment and socioeconomic structure of neighborhoods have important consequences for child well-being. The implications for future research on the structural features of neighborhoods that are associated with child well-being are discussed.

Examining tobacco outlet concentration in New Jersey: does income and ethnicity matter?

This study examined the geographic association between tobacco outlet density and the demographic indicators of median household income and percentage of Hispanic residents in New Jersey. Tobacco outlet density was assessed by examining all tobacco retailers licensed in 2004 in New Jersey, and demographic variables were based on the 2000 United States Census. Results indicated that the percentage of Hispanic residents and median household income were both salient predictors of tobacco outlet density. We also observed that income level moderated the relationship between the percentage of Hispanics residents and tobacco outlet density. Implications for environmentally based tobacco prevention and control initiatives are discussed.

An exploration of child welfare investigation disparity differences between states

This article explores state differences in child welfare investigation disparities using the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System and data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Descriptive statistics and mapped spatial distribution suggest a regional pattern across the country. Bivariate analyses found that investigation disparities were lower in states that were more racially diverse, had more people of any race living in poverty, and responded to more of the communitys referrals for investigation. Despite research suggesting that disparities in poverty may contribute to African American disparities in child welfare, this was not a significant correlate in this study.

Community pharmacies and addictive products: sociodemographic predictors of accessibility from a mixed GWR perspective

Community pharmacies selling potentially harmful products may contradict their role in health promotion. From a spatial analysis perspective, this study investigated the sale of alcohol, tobacco, and lottery tickets by community pharmacies in Passaic County, New Jersey, and assessed the relationship between sociodemographic factors of community residents and their potential accessibility to those community pharmacies. A mixed geographically weighted regression analysis revealed that census block groups with higher median household income tend to have less accessibility to pharmacies that sell addictive products. Relationships between Latino population and those pharmacies are mixed. No significant relationship was found for African American population.